In a major push to position Punjab as a national hub for technology-driven entrepreneurship, the Punjab Government signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) to set up “Startup Punjab Hub –Neuron 2.0” at STPI Mohali with an investment of ₹29 crore. The state-of-the-art technology incubation centre will focus on cybersecurity and next-gen startups to further strengthening state’s startup ecosystem.
Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora witnessed the signing of the MoU at Udyog Bhawan here. The agreement was signed by Director Industries and Commerce-cum-Punjab Startup Nodal Officer Jaspreet Singh and Director of STPI Shailendra K Tyagi.
Aman Arora said the new facility builds on the success of Neuron 1.0, which incubated 114 startups, supported the development of 158 products and 171 prototypes and created nearly 2,700 jobs. Startups from the earlier hub have attracted ₹251 crore in investments and hold a combined valuation of ₹2,890 crore.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government has extended an in-principle support of ₹12 crore for the project, while STPI will contribute ₹17 crore, he said, while adding that the initiative aims to nurture at least 50 startups over the next five years and train 2,000 professionals through structured skilling programmes in emerging technologies. Eligible startups at the facility will be encouraged to register with Startup Punjab to avail benefits under the state’s startup policy.
Neuron 2.0 will introduce cybersecurity as an additional core domain alongside artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, internet of things (IoT) and audio-visual graphics. A dedicated cybersecurity lab with advanced facilities will be set up to support product development and experimentation.The facility is envisioned as a comprehensive innovation platform that will offer startup incubation, mentoring, advanced infrastructure, skilling, product commercialisation and industry linkages, he added.